A report from an inquiry into proposals to increase voter engagement, participation and confidence in New South Wales (NSW). The report explores barriers to voter participation in elections, and the security and integrity of the electoral system and processes. It presents three findings and provides 22 recommendations. The Committee's recommendations cover a variety of matters ranging from civics education, voting information, technology-assisted voting and electoral funding laws. 

Key insights

• The NSW Electoral Commission is widely trusted to deliver fair, inclusive and secure elections.
• Data shows declining civics literacy among young people in an increasingly complex political environment.
• There was support from youth stakeholders to lower the voting age to 16.
• Failure to provide voting information in accessible formats can exclude voters with disability from fully participating in elections.
• Voters living in remote areas, crisis accommodations, shelters and aged care facilities face barriers to participation in elections.
• There was support among stakeholders to review the Local Government Act 1993 to determine whether the option to engage private electoral service providers in local government elections is fit for purpose.

Key recommendations

• That the NSW Department of Education develops a civics education curriculum as a stand-alone mandatory subject.
• That the NSW Government makes legislative changes to require political parties and candidates to provide voting information in accessible formats.
• That the NSW Government makes legislative changes to implement an internet-based technology assisted voting solution for voters who are blind or have low vision.
• That the NSW Government funds the Electoral Commission to provide more polling booths to improve voter participation in rural and remote areas.
• That the NSW Government establishes a working group to consider and respond to the recommendations in the Independent Commission Against Corruption's report on political donations facilitated by Chinese Friends of Labour in 2015 (Operation Aero).